Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, medically referred to as adhesive capsulitis, is a disorder in which the shoulder capsule, the connective tissue surrounding the joint of the shoulder, becomes inflamed and stiff, greatly restricting motion and causing chronic pain.

Adhesive capsulitis is a painful and disabling condition. Movement of the shoulder is severely restricted, particularly lifting the arm (abduction). Pain is usually constant, exacerbated by movement, worse at night, and when the weather is colder; and along with the restricted movement can make even small tasks impossible.This condition, for which an exact cause is unknown, can last from several months to years. It is believed that it may have an autoimmune component, with the body attacking healthy tissue in the capsule. There is also a lack of fluid in the joint, further restricting movement.

Treatment may be painful and taxing and consists of physical therapy, medication, massage therapy, hydro dilatation or surgery. A doctor may also perform manipulation under anesthesia, which breaks up the adhesions and scar tissue in the joint to help restore some range of motion. Pain and inflammation can be controlled with analgesics and NSAIDs. The condition tends to be self-limiting: it usually resolves over time without surgery, but this may take years. All the above treatments are time consuming, some are painful, may have side effects and downtime.

Dr Georghy uses a treatment that combines Low Level Laser Therapy and PhotoDynamic HelioTherm (constant low level light and heat therapy). He has been using this treatment since 1993.